The Fire Church
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The Fire Church, also known as the Fire Cult or Fire Heresy is a religious organization that believes that the Fire God is the one true God who rules above all. The Church is spread throughout Almaris, with its current headquarters in Blazengard.
Contents
History (WIP)
The Embers Organization
The Embers Organization was founded in approximately 1726 by some friends who lived in New Reza, Haense at the time. They wished to make a name for themselves, and wanted to have land of their own. So they formed this organization to do odd jobs and such to earn funds, and recruit more people to their cause to accomplish their goal. The organization was quite successful, and they raised tens of thousands of minas in only a short few years. After many years of hard work, it appeared that their goal was about to be accomplished. They found a great spot in the volcano lands in Arcas and had enough funds to terraform the land and build a settlement. Thus the Leader of the Embers Organization set off to prepare the necessary arrangements.
The Fire Church
In the absence of the leader of the Embers Organization, the second in command, Henry Venlic took the reigns. He proclaimed to the members of the organization that until then that they were all following a fake God, and that he had seen the true God, the Fire God. So he declared himself the High Priest of the Fire Church. Henry believed that a common religion would be important for unifying the people when the settlement was built. In a surprisingly short amount of time, he convinced the other members to switch to his religion.
The Fire Heresy/The Fire Cult
Henry and many other members went around preaching the word of the Fire God. This upset many people in Kingdom of Haense greatly, and so they were dubbed Cultists, Heretics, and criminals. So the members had to be discreet in their recruitment efforts. Although being discreet slowed down their efforts, it was still somewhat successful. They welcomed in many new members to the organization and the church. The High Priest decided that they would now require more funds to accommodate for the new members. So Henry, and most of the members went around banditing various places such as Fenn, where Ar-Baruk was unfortunately caught and burnt at the stake. However, their luck would shortly run out.
The Hanging
One day, Finn Hope told Henry Venlic, and many other members that he found more people who were interested in joining, and that he needed help getting them set up within the church and the organization. At the time, Finn and a few others were in the Brotherhood of Saint Karl as it allowed them to gain valuable information to avoid detection, and getting caught. However, when they all met, they soon learned that Finn had betrayed them. Members of the army, accompanied by the Palatine surrounded the cultists. The Palatine ordered them to be hanged at once off the very bridge in-front of Haense where they stood. So all the members of the organization that showed that fateful day to meet Finn were hanged, with exception of Henry, and one other as they were also in the Brotherhood of Saint Karl at the time. This was a narrow escape for them though, and they were put under surveillance after the event. Many religious activities and recruitment were temporarily put on halt as the risk of discovery was too high.
Members
Leaders
The Leader of the Fire Church is elected by the Fire Lords from amongst themselves upon the end of the previous Leaders tenure. When a candidate has a significant majority then they undergo the necessary ceremonies and ascend to the position of High Priest. When the Lords elect someone by a slight majority, then they can opt to give them the position of Interim Leader instead. The purpose of Interim Leader is... WIP...! Each Leader of the Fire Church is permitted the right to bare the Church's Coat of Arms or their own iteration of it as their personal Coat of Arms during their tenure. The Leader of the Fire Religion is the ultimate authority within the organization. They are in-charge of various important tasks such as: ensuring rituals are haven, ensuring the religion expands, declaring hostility, brokering alliances, and much more. Due to the importance of the job, the Leader is treated with great respect within the religion.
House Venlic
House Venlic was the first ruling house of the Fire Church. The Fire Church was founded by Henry Venlic, who would appoint himself as the High Priest after proclaiming an encounter with the true God, the Fire God. He would go on to write a variety of different books on the religions beliefs and rituals to appease the Fire God. After his unfortunate demise, he would be succeeded by his son, Stephen Venlic. Stephen went onto write more religious texts and finish some unfinished works left behind by his father. Under Stephen, the religion prospered, and received many new members. House Venlic would lead the religion for many years before the unforeseen mysterious disappearance of Stephen Venlic. The disappearance left the religion in shambles, and the mantle of High Prophet remained vacant for many years.
| Name Tenure |
Portrait | Titles | Birth | Death | Coat of Arms | Successor |
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| High Priest Henry Venlic 'The Founder' FA 1728 - FA 1738 |
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High Priest of the Fire Church, Protector of the Fire Faith | Unknown, Reza, Haense |
1738 in Fenn's tavern, death by seppuku | 
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Stephen Venlic as High Priest |
| High Priest Stephen Venlic 'the Scholar' FA 1738 - FA 1754 |
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High Priest of the Fire Church, Fire Lord of Hanseti-Ruska, Protector of the Fire Faith, Supreme Commander of the Faiths Guard | 20th of Malin's Welcome, Unknown, Reza, Haense |
Missing/Unknown | 
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Tom Hope as Interim Leader Henry Venlic 'The Phantom' as High Priest |
House Hope
The Fire Lords were quite ecstatic by the success of the previous two Venlic Pontificates and wished for the third High Priest to be of the dynasty as well. Unfortunately for them, they could not find another Venlic at the time. This led to the long vacancy period for the mantle of High Priest. After man years, Tom Hope, the Fire Lord of Curonia called all the Fire Lords together to convene for a meeting to elect a new leader. Upon being summoned, he petitioned his case, to ascend to the position in-front of his fellow Lords. Although, the Fire Lords were still hesitant to elect anyone without the Venlic bloodline. A significant majority could not be reached, so they opted to promote him to the position of Interim Leader, granting him limited authority over the religion, as the new head. The Lords hoped that this appointment would lead them into finding a new High Priest. Whether that would be Tom proving himself, or him leading the religion until a better successor was found. However, his tenure was rather short, as he decided to retire two years later. Thus the position of leader of the religion was once again vacant for many more years.
| Name Tenure |
Portrait | Titles | Birth | Death | Coat of Arms | Successor |
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| Interim Leader Tom Hope 'the Ambitious' FA 1754 - FA 1756 |
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Interim Leader of the Fire Church, Fire Lord of Curonia | 24th of Snow's Maiden, FA 1742, New Reza, Haense |
Missing/Unknown | 
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Henry Venlic as High Priest |
House Venlic
Suddenly, what appeared to be out of nowhere, Henry Venlic the first High Priest of the Fire Cult returned as a ghost in New Reza, Haense. After hearing of the news, the Fire Lords were quite excited as they finally had someone worthy to take up the mantle of the High Priest. So shortly after his return, he was elected as the High Priest. Thus House Venlic was pronounced the ruling house of the Fire Religion once more.
| Name Tenure |
Portrait | Titles | Birth | Death | Coat of Arms | Successor |
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| High Priest Henry Venlic 'The Phantom' FA 1790 - SA 4 |
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High Priest of the Fire Church, Fire Lord of Hanseti-Ruska, Protector of the Fire Faith, Supreme Commander of the Faiths Guard | Unknown, Reza, Haense |
First Death (As a Human): 1738 in Fenn's tavern, death by seppuku
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Apollo Venlic as High Prophet |
| High Prophet Apollo Venlic 'The Reformer' SA 4 - Present |
-- | High Prophet of the Fire Church, Fire Lord of Hanseti-Ruska, Archbishop of Blazengard, Bishop of Blazengrad, Protector of the Fire Faith, Supreme Commander of the Faiths Guard | 10th of the First Seed, FA 1758, Karosgrad, Haense |
Alive |
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N/A |
Notable Members
- Henry Venlic - Henry Venlic was the Founder & High Priest of the Fire Church, and dedicated his life to expanding the organization, and the writing of religious texts.
- Stephen Venlic - Stephen was the second High Priest of the Fire Church. During his tenure, the religion prospered, and had many new additions to their religious texts.
- Ar-Baruk - Ar-Baruk was an Orc who was extremely loyal to the religion until his last breath. He would carry out any mission he was ordered to, no questions asked. When he was captured by the guards in Fenn, he was given the option to renounce the faith or perish. He refused their offer, and as a consequence of his actions, he was burnt at the stake. Upon hearing of his unfortunate demise, the High Priest, and the Fire Lords proclaimed him as the honorary Fire Lord of Fenn, and a Martyr of the faith. To this day, his is used as an example of a great believer, and role model of the faith.
- Eherster Merc - A Doctor bearing a plague mask who was learning various medical techniques to further the Fire Cults abilities.
- The Loyal Darien Einnar - Darien served as a warrior for the religion. He would take out anyone no questions asked in the name of his God.
- Merek De Bolbec - WIP
- Icao the Sly - Iaco was known for being quite cunning. He worked undercover in the Brotherhood of Saint Karl for many years, gathering intel and moving through the ranks. His cover was so good, some fellow members didn't even believe he was a member of the faith some days. His work helped the Religion escape and avoid the authorities of Haense many times.
- Finn Hope - Finn hope worked as a spy for the Brotherhood of Saint Karl in an attempt to take down the Fire Cult from the inside. He ratted out his friends.
Ranks/Titles
Current Ranks, Honors, Titles (WIP)
During the start of the Church's reform, the High Prophet Apollo Venlic alongside many of his close trusted clergymen worked on restructuring the religion's ranking system. He believed that the old system was slightly dated, and that updates were necessary. After many months, a new system was completed and put into immediate effect.
Clergy Ranks
- High Prophet - The High Prophet is the Supreme Authority of the Fire Faith and is believed by their followers to communicate directly with God.
- Arch-Bishop - Arch-Bishop's are high ranking members of the faith who are put in-charge of an Archdiocese. They are responsible for overseeing the Diocese's in their region and ensuring the religion's success within their designated territory.
- Bishop - Bishop's are representatives of the church that oversee a Diocese. They are responsible for ensuring the religion's success and activity within their assigned land.
- Priest - Priests are responsible for holding ceremonies and rituals, recruiting, and spreading awareness of the religion.
- Acolyte - The entry level clergy rank of the faith.
Honors & Other Ranks
- Saint - A very holy person who has performed miracles on God's behalf.
- Matyr - A true believer in the faith whose perished for their beliefs, not regretting or denying their faith until the very end.
- Holy Knight - A Holy Knight is a Knight that fights and serves the faith, they can use the prefix Sir or Dame and mark the end of their name with the initials of their Knightly Order.
Original Ranks & Titles
During the first iteration of the church, a variety of different positions and titles existed. Although many of these titles have changed in recent times to reflect changes in the church, some historical titles have survived and are still used presently.
- High Priest - The High Priest is the Leader of the Fire Religion and is believed by his followers to be able to communicate with the Fire God.
- Fire Lords - Fire Lords are appointed by the High Priest if they show exceptional work as a Priest. They are put in-charge of overseeing specified lands, and ensuring the religions success within them. Upon the end of a High Preists tenure, they are tasked with electing a new one.
- Priest - Priests are responsible for holding ceremonies and rituals, recruiting, and spreading awareness of the religion.
- Acolyte - The Acolyte's are responsible for the enforcement of the religion's policies. They hunt down members who attempt to abandon the religion and send them to meet the Fire God to repent by executing them.
- Ember Warrior - The Ember Warriors are tasked with guarding various places owned by the religion. They also vow to take up arms against others if they are ever called to do so.
- Enlightened - This is the lowest rank of the Fire Cult. Anyone who joins the religion and pledges themselves to the religion is known as Enlightened.
